Forming tool with immobilizing means for the actuating member of the safety member

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device for forming, such as a press tool comprising: a body having a receiving structure end for receiving into a receiving structure of a folding press, which end is connected via a central portion to a tool end, at least one safety member which can protrude beyond a surface plane of the receiving structure end, and an actuating member which is movable in a first direction and which is coupled to a safety member, comprising immobilizing means for making the actuating member inoperative.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a device for forming, such as a press toolcomprising:

-   -   a body having a receiving structure end for receiving into a        receiving structure of a folding press, which end is connected        via a central portion to a tool end,    -   at least one safety member which can protrude beyond a surface        plane of the receiving structure end,

and an actuating member which is movable in a first direction and whichis coupled to a safety member.

2. Description of Related Art

Such a device is known from EP-A-0 494 714. This document describes apress tool in which the safety member is operated by an actuatingmember, enabling direct insertion into and removal from a receivingstructure of a folding press, substantially perpendicular to the lengthof the receiving structure.

The safety member extends in the embodiment of this document out of aside surface of the receiving structure. U.S. Pat. No. 6,467,327discloses an embodiment with a safety member extending from a topsurface of the receiving structure.

Sometimes the actuating member is operated by accident as a result ofwhich the press tool may at least partially fall out of the receivingstructure. It is an object of the invention to prevent accidentalactuation of the safety member.

EP-A-1 493 506 describes a press tool having a lockable safety member.This document provides a solution for the problem that a spring biasedsafety member can be disengaged from the tool holder while manipulatingthe tool within the receiving structure. By sliding the tool in thereceiving structure it is possible that the safety member is pressedinwardly, which could cause the tool to fall out of the receivingstructure.

This document, EP-A-1 493 506 provides a lock for the safety member,such that the safety member, in locked situation, is like a fixed safetymember. In order to remove a tool with locked safety member, the safetymember first has to be unlocked, after which the safety member can bedisengaged. This is similar to a locked door, in which the lock of thedoor first has to be unlocked by using a key and afterwards the door canbe opened by operating the door handle. So the lockable safety member ofEP-A-1 493 506 needs additional operations in order to remove the toolfrom the receiving structure.

Another disadvantage of this embodiment is that when the safety memberis locked, the tool cannot be inserted into the receiving structuresubstantially perpendicular to the length of the receiving structure. Itcould even damage the receiving structure of the safety member wheninsertion of a tool with locked safety member is nevertheless tried.

Still another disadvantage of EP-A-1 493 506 is that in unlocked state,the tool can be removed in a non controlled manner. The spring biasedsafety member determines the force necessary to pull out the tool fromthe receiving structure. If the spring is weak, the tool can even fallout spontaneously.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is expressly not the object of the invention to provide a lockablesafety member, but to prevent accidental operation of the actuatingmember.

This object is achieved by the invention which is characterized byimmobilizing means for making the actuating member inoperative. Bymaking the actuating member inoperative it is no longer possible tooperate the safety member.

Immobilizing of the actuating member does not necessarily result in animmobilized safety member not able to perform the intended function. Sowith immobilized actuating member, a tool can still be inserted in aninsertion direction substantially perpendicular to the length of thereceiving structure into a receiving structure, while the safety memberprevents the tool from falling out of the receiving structure. The toolcan however not be taken out in the opposite insertion directionsubstantially perpendicular to the length of the receiving structure aslong as the actuating member is immobilized.

In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention theimmobilizing means comprise a cam for blocking movement of the actuatingmember in the first direction, and wherein at least a part of theactuating member is movable in a second direction different from thefirst direction, such that the actuating member can be moved beyond theblocking cam. Preferably, the second direction is substantiallyperpendicular to the first direction and in particular the seconddirection is substantially perpendicular to the length of the receivingstructure.

The cam prevents the operation of the actuating member by accident. Theoperator needs to first shift the actuating member in the seconddirection after which the actuating member can be pressed in the firstdirection such that the safety member is operated.

Preferably the device comprises spring means, such as a leaf spring orcoil spring, for urging the actuating member in the second directiontowards the blocking position. The leaf spring ensures that theactuating member is always urged back to its blocked position, such thatalso after accidently touching the actuating member several times, theactuating member is still in the blocked position and not slowly movedto a position in which the actuating member still can be accidentlyoperated.

The cam is preferably arranged at the body, but can also be provided atthe actuating member.

In another embodiment of the device according to the invention, theactuating member has an operating portion, which is movable in thesecond direction. In this embodiment the operating portion is blockedand has to be moved in the second direction, after which the operatingportion can be pressed in order to actuate the safety member.

Preferably the actuating member is rigidly connected to the safetymember. By rigidly connecting the safety member to the actuating memberless movable parts are present in the press tool, which decreases thechance on faulty operation.

In another preferred embodiment of the device according to the inventionthe actuating member comprises a guide member extending in the actuatingdirection and wherein the immobilizing means comprise blocking means forblocking the movement of the guide member. Instead of blocking theactuating member it is also possible to block the movement of the guidemember, which guides the actuating member within the tool body.

In another preferred embodiment the blocking means comprise a slidemember arranged at the body, which slide member is slidable to aposition blocking the movement of the guide member. This slide membercan be spring biased towards the blocking position. An operator has toslide the slide member before the actuating member can be operated.

In still another embodiment of the press tool according to the inventionthe blocking means comprise a spreading member arranged relative to theguide member such that the spreading member is blocking the movement ofthe guide member in non-spreaded state, and relative to a spreadactuating member for bringing the spreading member in a spreaded stateunblocking the guide member. Obviously, the reversed situation is alsofeasible. In which the spreading member is blocking the movement in aspreaded state, and is deblocking in the non-spreaded state.

Preferably the spreading member is coaxially arranged with the guidemember. Furthermore the spreading and the despreading may be controlledby the actuation system.

This spreading member can comprise a ring and fingers arranged to thering extending towards the axis of the ring, and wherein the spreadingactuating member is a pin having a diameter smaller than the innerdiameter of the ring. By pressing the pin into the spreading member, thefingers of the spreading member are pushed outwardly providing space forthe guide member such that the actuating member can be operated.

In yet another embodiment of the device according to the invention, thesafety member is slidably arranged in the body, wherein the actuatingmember is slidably arranged in the body and further comprising a levercoupled between the actuating member and the safety member and whereinthe immobilizing means comprise a lever actuating member for moving thelever from a disengaged position to an engaged position. When the leveris in disengaged position, the actuating member can be operated, butthis has no influence on the safety member. As a result the actuatingmember is immobilized in performing the intended function. Now byoperating the lever actuating member, the lever is placed into anengaged position such that by operating the actuating member the safetymember is operated.

Preferably the lever actuating member is substantially coaxiallyarranged to the actuating member. The actuating member could comprise aguide member extending in the actuating direction and the leveractuating member is slidably guided by the guide member. This providesfor a cost-effective embodiment of the device according to theinvention.

Preferably the lever is a leaf spring. This enables to change the shapeof the lever when being operated by the lever actuating member. Thisprovides the possibility for a better engagement of the lever onto thesafety member and the actuating member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of the invention will be elucidated inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1A-1E show a first embodiment of a press tool according to theinvention in cross-sectional view.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show a second embodiment of a press tool according tothe invention.

FIGS. 3A-3C show a third embodiment according to the invention incross-sectional view.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show a fourth embodiment of a press tool according tothe invention.

FIG. 5 shows a fifth embodiment according to the invention of a presstool in cross-sectional view.

FIGS. 6A-6C show a sixth embodiment in cross-sectional view of theinvention.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show a seventh embodiment of a press tool according tothe invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1A-1E show a first embodiment 1 according to the invention. A tool2 is inserted into a receiving structure 3 ok a folding press. The tool2 has a safety member 4, which is rigidly connected to an actuatingmember 5. The actuating member 5 is guided by a guide member 6. A spring7 urges the actuating member 5 to its starting position, as shown inFIG. 1A. The safety member 4 protrudes beyond and out of the surface ofthe receiving structure end. However, it is also possible that thesafety member lies in the top surface but still extends and protrudesbeyond the now surface plane without departing from its intendedfunction.

In FIG. 1B the tool 2 is inserted into the receiving structure 3. Thesafety member 4 is pressed inwardly as a result of the beveled portion.

In FIG. 1C the tool 2 is shifted a bit downward such that the actuatingmember 5 is shifted into a second direction relative to the tool body 2,that is perpendicular to the length of the receiving structure 3. As aresult the actuating member 5 is blocked by a cam 10 and preventsoperating of the actuating member 5.

In FIG. 1D the tool 2 is clamped by the receiving structure 3. This isclear from FIG. 1D in that the top portion 8 of the tool 2 is inabutment with the ceiling of the cavity in the receiving structure 3.The safety member 4 extends into a cavity 9 and prevents the tool fromfalling out of the receiving structure 3 as soon as the clamping forceis removed. This is shown in FIG. 1C.

If the tool 2 has to be removed from the receiving structure 3, theclamping force is removed and the tool 2 has to be maintained in theposition shown in FIG. 1E. Only in this position the actuating member 5can be pressed inward, such that the safety member 4 can be retractedinto the tool body. If the tool 2 is not maintained in the positionshown in FIG. 1E, the tool 2 will slide downward into the position,shown in FIG. 1C. In this position the actuating member 5 is blocked bythe cam 10 and operating of the actuating member 5 is prevented.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show a second embodiment 20 of a press tool according tothe invention. The tool 20 has a body 21 and a receiving structure end22. In this receiving structure end 22 a safety member 23 is arranged,which is rigidly connected to an actuating member 24. The actuatingmember 24 is guided by a guide member 25. The actuating member 24 can bedisplaced in a vertical direction and in a horizontal direction in linewith the guide member 25. A leaf spring 26 urges the actuating member 24downwardly, while the coil spring 27 urges the actuating member andconsequently the safety member 23 out of the body 21.

The body 21 has a cam 28 and cam 29, which prevent the actuating member24 to be operated by accident. An operator first has to move theactuating member 24 up to a center position in between both cams 28, 29,after which the actuating member 24 can be pressed inwardly and as aresult the safety member 23 can be operated (see FIG. 2B).

FIGS. 3A-3C show a third embodiment 30 of a tool according to theinvention. This tool has a body 31 and a receiving structure end 32. Asafety member 33 is arranged in the tool body 31 and can be operated bythe actuating member 34. The actuating member 34 is guided by a guidemember 35 and urged by a coil spring 36 towards its position as shown inFIG. 3A. The actuating member 34 has an operating portion 37, which canbe displaced in a second direction. The operating portion 37 is urgeddownwardly by a leaf spring 38.

The body 31 acts as a cam, when the operating portion 37 is in theposition as shown in FIG. 3A. This prevents operation of the actuatingmember 34 by accident. An operator has to move the operating portion 37of the actuating member 34 upwardly in order to be able to press theactuating member inwardly and as a result to operate the safety member33 (see FIGS. 3B and 3B). This embodiment has the advantage that thesafety member 33 is not shifted within the tool body 31 and thatoperation of the actuating member does not depend on the position of thetool in the receiving structure.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show a fourth embodiment 40 of the invention. Theembodiment 40 has a tool body 41 and a receiving structure end 42. Inthe receiving structure end 42 a safety member 43 is arranged, which isoperated by an actuating member 44. This actuating member 44 is guidedby a guide member 45 and urged to the position as shown in FIG. 4A byspring 46. FIG. 4B shows a side view of the embodiment 40. A slidemember 47 is arranged and has an opening 48. This slide member blocks inthe shown position the guide member 45, such that the actuating member44 cannot be operated. Only after sliding the slide member 47 theactuating member 44 can be operated and as a result the safety member 43can be retracted into the receiving structure end 42.

FIG. 5 shows a fifth embodiment 50 according to the invention. The tool50 has a body with a receiving structure end 52. This receivingstructure end 52 has a safety member extending, which safety member isguided by a guide pin 54. The safety member 53 is actuated by anactuating member 55 which is in turn guided by a guide member 56. Behindthe guide member 56 a spreading member 57 is present, which spreadingmember 57 has fingers 58. The fingers 58 are extending towards the axis51 of the spreading member 57. A spreading actuating member 59 can bepressed into the spreading member 57 such that the fingers 58 are bentoutwardly and provide a passage way for the guide member 56. Now theactuating member 55 can be pressed and the guide member 56 will slidethrough the spreading member 57.

FIGS. 6A-6C show a sixth embodiment of a tool according to theinvention. This embodiment 60 has a tool body and a receiving structureend 62. The receiving structure end 62 has a safety member 63 which canslide into the receiving structure end 62. The safety member 63 is urgedby a coil spring 64.

The tool 60 has furthermore an actuating member 65, which can be slidedinto the tool body independent of the safety member 63. The actuatingmember 65 is guided by a guide member 66.

A leaf spring 67 is with one side arranged in the tool body 61. A leveractuating member 68 is coaxially arranged with the guide member 66 andurged by a spring 61.

In FIG. 6A the lever 67 is disengaged and when the actuating member 65is operated the safety member 63 remains in its shown position.

In FIG. 6B the lever actuating member 68 is pressed such that the lever67 deforms and engages into a cavity 69 of the safety member 63. Whenactuating member 65 is pressed (see FIG. 6C) it pushes against the lever67 taking along the safety member 63.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show a seventh embodiment of a press tool 70 accordingto the invention. This embodiment resembles the embodiment according toFIGS. 4A and 4B.

The tool 70 has a receiving end 72, in which a safety member 73 isarranged, which is urged by spring 74 towards its extended position.

An actuating member 75 is urged by a spring 76 into the position shownin FIG. 7A. The actuating member 75 can push the safety member 73 into aretracted position.

The safety member 73 is however freely movable, such that the tool 70can be inserted into a receiving structure independent of the state ofthe actuating member 75.

The actuating member 75 is guided by a guide pin 77, which can beblocked by slide member 78. As shown in figure 7B the slide member 78 isalso spring loaded by spring 79, such that the slide member 78 is alwaysurged towards the blocking position. So the actuating member 75 isalways immobilized, unless the slide member is expressly moved towardsthe unblocking position enabling the actuating member 75 to be pressedinward and operating the safety member 73.

The freely movable safety member configuration as shown in FIGS. 7A and7B can likewise be incorporated in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3, 4and 5.

1. A device for forming, comprising: a body having a receiving structure end for receiving into a receiving structure of a folding press, which end is connected via a central portion to a tool end, at least one safety member configured to protrude beyond a surface plane of the receiving structure end, an actuating member which is movable in a first direction and which is coupled to the safety member, and immobilizing means for making the actuating member inoperative, wherein the immobilizing means blocks the actuating member, such that operation of the actuating member is only enabled after unblocking the immobilizing means, and wherein the actuating member is configured to be user actuated by pressing on it.
 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the immobilizing means comprise at least one cam for blocking movement of the actuating member in a first direction, and wherein at least a part of the actuating member is movable in a second direction different from the first direction, such that the actuating member can be moved beyond the blocking cam.
 3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.
 4. The device according to claim 2, comprising spring means, such as a leaf spring or coil spring, for urging the actuating member in the second direction towards the blocking position.
 5. The device according to claim 2, wherein the at least one cam is arranged at the body.
 6. The device according to claim 2, wherein the actuating member has an operating portion which is movable in the second direction.
 7. The device according to claim 2, wherein the actuating member is rigidly connected to the safety member.
 8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the actuating member comprises a guide member extending in the actuating direction and wherein the immobilizing means comprise blocking means for blocking the movement of the guide member.
 9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the blocking means comprise a slide member arranged at the body, which slide member is slidable to a position blocking the movement of the guide member.
 10. The device according to claim 8, wherein the blocking means comprise a spreading member arranged relative to the guide member such that the spreading member is blocking (or deblocking) the movement of the guide member in non-spreaded state, and relative to a spread actuating member for bringing the spreading member in a spreaded state unblocking (or blocking) the guide member.
 11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the spreading member comprises a ring and fingers arranged to the ring extending towards the axis of the ring, and wherein the spread actuating member is a pin having a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the ring.
 12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the safety member is slidably arranged in the body, wherein the actuating member is slidably arranged in the body and further comprising a lever coupled between the actuating member and the safety member and wherein the immobilizing means comprise a lever actuating member for moving the lever from a disengaged position to an engaged position.
 13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the lever actuating member is substantially coaxially arranged to the actuating member.
 14. The device according to claim 13, wherein the actuating member comprises a guide member extending in the actuating direction and the lever actuating member is slidably guided by the guide member.
 15. The device according to claim 11, wherein the lever is a leaf spring.
 16. The device according to claim 1, wherein the safety member is slidably arranged in the body and the safety member is movable between an extended and a retracted position, independent of actuation of the actuating member. 